Akagi - Flagship for Pearl Harbor Attack

The Akagi, an important Japanese aircraft carrier went into service in 1927 and ended her life at the Battle of Midway, in 1942. The U.S. Navy's Historical Center has the following information about her:

Akagi, a 34,364-ton aircraft carrier, was built at Kure, Japan. Begun as a battle cruiser, she was completed as one of Japan's first two large aircraft carriers in March 1927.

Massively reconstructed in 1935-38, she was active off China during the next few years, and was flagship for the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941.

She subsequently took part in carrier raids into the Indian Ocean area and was flagship of the carrier striking force during the Battle of Midway. On 4 June 1942, while operating northward of Midway, Akagi was hit by dive bombers from USS Enterprise (CV-6) and set afire.

Damage control efforts were unsuccessful, and she was scuttled by Japanese destroyer torpedoes early on following day.

This photo depicts the Akagi at sea, during the summer of 1941. Note the three Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighters which are parked forward.